Sensory Strategies for Children who are
Sensory Defensive

Every child can benefit from sensory-rich experiences and environments; however, not all suggestions and strategies are appropriate and individualized for your child. Some children are sensitive to sensations while others are sensory seeking. Here are some tips of what to look for in your child:

Active children tend to be sensory seekers and are always on the go. They might crave intense forms of sensory experiences and engage in movement activities such as jumping, falling, crashing, and pushing.

Sensitive, fearful, or defensive children tend to be sensory avoidant and have a difficult time participating in every day routines. They might be fearful of falling, state that a tag on their shirt is painful, avoid certain textures or smells of foods, or walks on their tip toes.

Here are some sensory strategies for children who are overly sensitive (sensory avoidant) to sensory experiences including touch, taste/smell, movement, sounds, and light.

Provide grading pressure

Steam roller: roll a large ball over a child’s back while he’s lying on the floor face down.

Massage: gently squeeze the child’s limbs, the top of his head, and shoulders; and or provide grading firm hugs.

Honu Intervention provides children and their families with professional family-centered intervention and effective care coordination between interdisciplinary team members. We offer Early Start, private, and out-of-pocket services for early intervention, behavioral support; and speech, occupational, and physical therapy.